CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND UTILISATION
OF THE AUSTRALIAN FLORA
1995 / 96
Tony BROWN (06) 246 5081
To identify, conserve and develop selected indigenous species for use as sources of genes for crop improvement, and to study the population dynamics, genetic diversity, responses to fire and resilience of the Australian flora in relation to conservation biology, and to apply the results to integrated land use management.
The use of wild plants as genetic resources for improving their related crops and breeding more durably resistant cultivars, or directly in horticulture, industry and landscaping is limited by methods to exploit these resources. In several projects we employ isozyme and molecular markers to monitor desirable traits in breeding programs or to determine variation patterns. For instance, the Australian native species of Glycine contain leaf rust resistance needed for protecting soybean; scald resistance genes from wild Hordeum are deployed for barley improvement; and native Gossypium species are being tested for particular desirable characteristics for the cotton crop. Similar techniques are used for specificity testing prior to, and monitoring impact after, release of a rust fungus to control slender thistles.
Many native plants have potential for industrial uses (such as essential oils), or alternative land uses. Particular variants of some grass and herb species are being developed for broad scale landscaping, including roadsides. Significant new markets are opening up for native cut-flowers and flowering potted plants. The development of these markets relies on research into the control of propagation, growth and flowering.
Managing populations and communities in the face of diminishing population sizes and the fragmentation of ecosystems is the most pressing issue in plant conservation biology. Essential for this task is an understanding of the ecology of individual plant species, the dynamics and resilience of populations and of communities. Studies of genetic diversity at species and floristic level contribute both to our knowledge of threatened taxa and to management strategies. The vast majority of Australia's native ecosystems are particularly prone to fires, and we are investigating the effect of fire on plant biodiversity.
To develop and conserve an evaluated collection of Glycine and use the collection in soybean improvement. To collect and multiply samples of Australian Gossypium species, to determine their population structure and to develop hybrid pathways for using their characters to improve cotton. To survey Eucalyptus species for high cineole-producing taxa, and for essential oils in Melaleuca species.
Tony BROWN (06) 246 5081
Curt Brubaker (100%) Jim Grace Tony Brown (30%) Elizabeth Gregory Jeremy Burdon (10%) Andrew Slee Lyn Craven (10%) Marion Kilby Ian Brooker (10%)
Herbert Hurka, University of Osnabrck Mac Stewart, University of Arkansas J.F. Wendel, Iowa State University Ted Hymowitz, University of Illinois, Urbana Dan Schoen, McGill University, Montreal, Canada Jo Brophy, UNSW, Sydney Peter Milthorpe, NSW Agriculture, Condobolin Chris Benson, David Leach, University of Western Sydney
Cotton R&D Corporation CSP47C $68,412
Evaluation of soybean hybrid lines for leaf rust resistance; introduction of hybrid cotton germplasm; initial hybridisation and backcrossing of cotton with wild species; report of data from eucalyptus oil trial of Eucalyptus kochii and E. polybractea field experiment.
To identify new sources of scald resistance and molecular markers closely linked to these sources; then to implement marker assisted selection for scald resistance in a barley breeding program.
Tony BROWN (06) 246 5081
Tony Brown (40%) Elizabeth Gregory David Garvin (100%) Jeremy Burdon (20%)
Barbara Read, Barley Breeder, ARI, Wagga, NSW David Moody, Barley Breeder, VIDA, VIC Reg Lance, Barley Breeder, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, SA
Plant Science CRC $85,000
Screen segregating progenies and bulk-segregant analysis of new backcross families.
To evaluate and develop Haemodorum coccineum and H. parviflorum for cut flower production. To develop high seed-producing variety of kangaroo grass, Themeda triandra; investigate its germination ecology and revegetation potential.
Iain DAWSON (06) 246 5267
Iain Dawson (ANBG; 80%)
Ebonybrook Pty Ltd, Queensland Daryl Joyce, CSIRO Division of Horticulture, Brisbane ACT Parks and Conservation Service Roads & Traffic Authority, NSW
RIRDC (ANBG) $38,114
Collection and establishment of Haemodorum species; determine reproductive biology, control of flowering, seed production and tissue culture; bulk seed of Themeda; negotiate commercialisation.
To institute widespread releases of two races of the rust pathogen Puccinia cardui-pycnocephali as agents for the biological control of slender thistles in SE Australia.
Jeremy BURDON (06) 246 5084
Jeremy Burdon (10%) Caritta Eliasson
CSIRO Division of Entomology, Weed Section, Canberra Richard H. Groves, CSIRO Biological Control Unit, Montpellier, France Eligio Bruzzese, KTRI, Frankston, Victoria State Departments of Agriculture - NSW, South Australia, Tasmania
Wool R&D Corporation CIC31 $53,628
Extensive releases of rust pathogens in WA, SA, VIC, TAS & NSW; monitoring of effectiveness of pathogens in reducing thistle vigour; development of plan of integrated management/control of thistles.
To compare genetic variation, structure and processes between related common and rare plants to provide baseline genetic data for conservation management of rare plant species, and to test current theory regarding population genetics of rare plant species.
Andrew YOUNG (06) 246 5318
Andrew Young (100%) Frank Zich Judy West (10%) Jeremy Burdon (nominal) Tony Brown (10%) Lindy Spindler (15%)
Nil
Use allozyme markers to compare genetic variation and mating system between Daviesia suaveolens and D. mimosoides using seed and vegetative material collected in 1993/94; set up common environment growth studies to compare quantitative genetic variation between the two species; further investigations depend upon the results of the initial allozyme studies.
Malcolm GILL (06) 246 5116
To investigate processes affecting plant biodiversity in Australian terrestrial ecosystems (including those substantially modified) paying special attention to the effects of fires.
Malcolm Gill (90%) Peter Moore Eddie Pook (100%) Julie McAlpine Ross Bradstock (50%) (Visiting Scientist)
Jann Williams, RSBS, ANU Dick Williams, CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Darwin Neil Burrows, Bruce Ward, CALM Western Australia Rod Weber, Geoff Mercer, University of NSW, Canberra CRA Exploration Pty Ltd
DEST $28,718 NSWNPWS $1,000 ERIN $2,000
Complete manuscripts on: bushfires and plant species biodiversity; forest fragmentation and biodiversity; impact of fire regimes on the forests of eastern NSW; a flexible fuel-accumulation model; prescribed burning for biodiversity conservation and protection in temperate Australian forests; weather and fires at the urban-wildland interface, Sydney 1994; Eucalyptus and fires; and, litterfall and growth in E. maculata forests.
John BRIGGS (06) 246 5261
To continue and expand ecological, biological and taxonomic studies relating to the conservation and management of selected ROTAP species. To complete for publication a new edition of the Rare or Threatened Australian Plants list.
John Briggs (100%) Terena Lally John Leigh (10%) Frank Zich
State conservation agencies and herbaria, and numerous professional and amateur botanists CSIRO Division of Forestry Swainsona recta Recovery Team Australian Nature Conservation Agency
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service $21,040
Publication of new edition of ROTAP; submission for publication papers presenting the results of chromosome counts for Dillwynia stipulifera and the revision of the Eucalyptus series Argyrophyllae; initial burning treatments and second set of plot measurements completed for fire-related research on Swainsona recta.
Suzanne PROBER (06) 246 5118
To provide ecological and genetic information which is directly applicable to the management and conservation of the white box woodlands of NSW.
Suzanne Prober (100%) Elizabeth Gregory Tony Brown (10%) Terena Lally Lindy Spindler (25%)
ARC Post-doctoral Research Fellowship $2,951
Complete analysis of rangewide floristic data and prepare for publication; prepare management survey for publication; continue with long-term management experiment (fencing, burning and monitoring); clarify relationship between genetic diversity and population size for understorey species Microseris lanceolata; determine effect of latitude on genetic diversity; complete write-up of Microseris project and prepare for publication.
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